Penn State's New Coach Matt Campbell Gains Momentum in Recruiting 5-Star RB Kemon Spell

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

The Matt Campbell era in Happy Valley has begun. The longtime Iowa State Cyclones head coach stepped in after the Penn State Nittany Lions decided to fire James Franklin following 12 years in charge.

Campbell is taking over a team that just finished its worst season since 2021, ending with a 7-6 record. This past season came with higher expectations, as the team had previously made the College Football Playoff and advanced to the semifinals in 2024. Additionally, they began the 2025 season ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP poll.

Campbell is now working to build the Penn State football program with the goal of ending a nearly four-decade national championship drought. He is focusing on recruiting, and recently received a significant prediction in his favor from Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong regarding five-star running back Kemon Spell.

Spell is the nation’s top-ranked running back and the No. 3 player overall in the 2027 recruiting class. The 5-foot-10 running back hails from Pennsylvania and was previously committed to Penn State before decommitting after Franklin was fired. According to On3’s RPM machine, the Nittany Lions have a slight edge with a 58.9% chance of landing him, compared to the Georgia Bulldogs, who have a 38.8% chance.

The immediate effects of landing Spell would be felt across the program and the recruiting trail. After a 7–6 season that fell well short of expectations, a five-star commitment would signal renewed momentum under Campbell and help stabilize a fan base eager for change.

On the field, Spell represents a potential cornerstone for the offense. Ranked as the nation’s top running back and the No. 3 overall player in the 2027 class, the Pennsylvania native offers elite burst, vision and versatility. His previous commitment to Penn State adds another layer of intrigue, as Campbell now looks to re-establish trust and keep top in-state talent at home amid stiff competition from Georgia.

Looking ahead, Penn State’s recruiting efforts will intensify as spring visits and summer showcases approach. Securing Spell would give Campbell a marquee building block as he works to end the program’s national championship drought and reshape the Nittany Lions’ identity for the years ahead.

Related: 9,000-Yard Quarterback Enters College Football Transfer Portal

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos